I’m On Everything: Author Beth West Reveals All
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
I have known Beth for so long.. I submitted a few of my recollections from my memories at 42 Belvedere.
My friend Timm Carey held court there for quite a spell, so I was in frequent guest Beth’s book brought back some of the magic that San Francisco once had. Read and learn about some wild crazy fun…
Punk Globe: Thanks for the interview Beth, it has been ages tell the readers a bit about you and most importantly your book about 42 Belvedere the address where you lived.
What years did you cover in the book?
1986-1994
Punk Globe: What prompted you to write the book?
My friend Timm Carney and I — he had also been a roommate — entertained each other one day in 2013 by writing down our favorite story from the period and then sending it to each other. It made us both really happy to read and we wanted all the roommates and associates to experience that.
Punk Globe: How did you go about getting people to tell their memories?
I sent an official invitation followed up by a couple of emails with ideas for jogging memories. I shared one of my stories. There are so many more stories that didn’t make it in though. After people read the book, they were like, “Oh, I could have told the…story!” So I’ve thought about making a second book. A B-side.
PunkGlobe: Did you instill a deadline for stories to get in the book?
Yeah! I had been a production artist, so I knew about deadlines. But I hit a major snag. After I’d finished editing the book and laying it all out with the pictures, I Iost the digital file in a move. Fortunately, I had printed out a hard copy. I sat on that for seven years before I realized, during the pandemic’s stay-at-home order, that I could just retype the book and lay it out again. It only took three days to retype it. I apologize to everyone who had to wait so many years!
Punk Globe: I remember having been at the I Beam to see Pylon. Timm Carney asked me to come to a party after the show so Leslie Michel and I brought Vanessa Briscoe Hay and the entire band with us. It was wall-to-wall with people. We could hardly breathe. Do you remember that party?
I wish I did. I do remember a party so tight you couldn’t move down the hall. The safest place was behind the bar.
Punk Globe: Tell us some of your personal favorite stories from the book.
Regular events were always taken to the next level at 42 Belvedere. We were young and lived life as it was served to us. Very spontaneous. I loved hearing about Enrique playing while standing on the couch and how the Cat Heads had to play from the bathtub. And of course, the story that is really legend: Peter getting the gig to direct Camper Van Beethoven’s video, Take the Skinheads Bowling (and shooting it at 42 Belvedere). My roommate Peter was gifted at attracting the most creative, fun and inventive people and inspiring lunacy, while mixing martinis.
Punk Globe: How many pressings did you do?
My initial order was for 50 books! I was just thinking about how many might be at the launch. I set out to make this for my roommates and cohorts, but I’ve gotten orders and interest from others too. I heard from Vanessa Briscoe Hay!
Punk Globe: Are there still copies available?
Yes, there are! I sold all 50 at the launch, but there are more.
Punk Globe: I remember after the release of the book you received some surprising unexpected critique on the book. Do you care to elaborate more about it?
Hm, yeah, it was before the launch of the book, which made it even weirder. I was heckled from afar, from Facebook, the coward’s battlefield. An individual of close association made a deranged swipe at the validity of the book, the quality of the book, and the angle with nonsensical, negative comments of heinous intention. It was a pitiful effort and I had support from a lot of people, so it didn’t bother me. People were excited about the book and lots showed up for the launch.
Punk Globe: How many people resided at 42 Belvedere?
Wow, good question! I wonder if anyone has tried to figure that out! There were four bedrooms and it took place over eight years. There’s an equation here somewhere. I had 18 contributors, some of whom are associates, not just roommates. The number of names that fly through the book is overwhelming.
Punk Globe: I remember filming a Video Black Velvet Crush for the Witnesses I played a bride originally they wanted to have an older dude play my husband I insisted on a young model type they found a great guy. He was sweet and easy on the eyes. Were you involved in that shoot? Liz Owen did makeup and revved up the crowd.
No, I wasn’t there. I missed out! Peter had a giant velvet Black Velvet Crush wall tapestry in his room. I guess that’s where he got it. I remember a party that you came to, though. You sat in my room that I had lined in tin foil. I was just copying Warhol’s Factory. Do you remember a room covered in tin foil? I spray-glued it up.
Punk Globe: Yes I do remember Beth, it was so cool! Do you have any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers Beth?
Sure do! www.42Belvedere.com. Go there to order a book if you want a taste of what it was like to be young, in the Haight-Ashbury and surrounded by wild birds of an absurdist, psychedelic persuasion during the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Punk Globe: Describe yourself in three words.
Tall, sideways, fast.
Punk Globe: Any last words of wisdom for Punk Globe readers?
Are any of them kids? Find yourself a punk house to live in! Get yourself surrounded by creative people. Come home to chaos if you can!
